And Then, The World Ended

Chapter 22 The Final 48

A week have passed since their children's expected return, yet the families have received no phone calls or messages. An anxious atmosphere hangs heavy in the air as Sophie's family gathers at Noah's dad's house in Los Angeles. The incessant knocking on the door seems to accentuate the tension that has been building. Noah's dad answers the door to find Sophie's parents, their faces carved with worry.

"We've been trying to piece together where they might be," Sophie's mom begins, her voice laden with concern. "We know they were in Japan, but we've had no updates or contact. Have you heard anything?"

Before Noah's dad can respond, the silence is broken by the arrival of Jordan's family, their faces mirror images of worry and confusion. They spill into the house with questions and concerns.

"Any news?" Jordan's dad asks, his eyes searching for answers.

"Not yet," Noah's dad replies, his voice steady despite the growing unease in the room. "We're all in the same boat here."

Just as the gravity of the situation seems to settle on them, there's another knock at the door. This time, it's Jake's family, their faces tightening the knots of apprehension in the room.

"We're so sorry to barge in like this," Jake's mom begins, her voice shaking. "We got your address from Sophie's family. We've been trying to track down our son and his friends. They were supposed to come back from Japan last week, but we haven't heard a word."

Noah's dad welcomes them in, offering what comfort he can in the form of sympathetic nods and gestures. The living room is now filled with an assemblage of worried parents, each carrying their own weight of uncertainty.

"We've been going crazy with worry," Sophie's dad says, running a hand through his hair. "We've contacted the authorities, but they have no leads. It's like they vanished into thin air."

Jordan's mom chimes in, her voice carrying a hint of desperation. "We've tried calling their phones, but they all go straight to voicemail. It's like they've disappeared off the face of the earth."

Noah's dad listens intently, his eyes flitting between the concerned faces. "I know this is scary, but we can't jump to conclusions. They could just be having phone troubles or maybe they got held up. We shouldn't assume the worst."

As if on cue, Sophie's mom's phone rings, its shrill tone cutting through the heavy silence. She answers, her face transforming from apprehension to astonishment. "Hello? Yes, this is she... What? Are you sure? How did you get this number?"

The room falls silent as Sophie's mom listens intently, her eyes widening with each passing second. The weight of her expression pulls everyone closer, as if drawn by an invisible thread of fear.

"Yes, of course, we'll be there as soon as we can. Thank you... Right, of course. Yes, we won't tell them a thing." She hangs up and turns to face the anxious group, her voice steady despite the anxiety reflected in her eyes.

"That was a billionaire on the phone," she starts, her words hanging in the air like a prelude to a storm. "He said our children are with Liam's dad and that we need to come to Noah's dad's house immediately. He wouldn't say more over the phone."

A chorus of confusion and worries fills the room as the parents exchange apprehensive glances. Liam's name resonates, a new friend they made in New York.

Noah's dad, his voice steady but laced with concern, asks, "Liam's dad? Are you sure? What could he want? And why are our children with him?"

The sound of screeching tires cuts through the uneasy silence that hangs over the neighborhood. Noah's dad rushes to the window, as a fleet of sleek black cars pulls up in front of the house. The other families crowd around, their eyes wide with a mixture of anticipation.